Adjustable crutch



April 30, 1946. c. A. LYMAN ADJUSTABLE CRUTCH Filed March 22, 1945 M R. i m4 l-BY TTO/P/VEK Patented Apr. 30, 1946 ADJUSTABLE CRUTCH 2 Ciaims.

This invention relates to crutches, canes and the like and has particular relation to means for adjusting the effective length of a crutch or like instrument.

In crutches, canes and the like, the eective length of the support in the devices known to the art is iixed. Canes and crutches of course may be purchased in diierent lengths, but frequently these devices are used only temporarily and thus may be used by many individuals. Obviously a crutch which is the proper length for a tall individual would be too long and very uncomfortable for use by a shorter individual.

It is accordingly one of the principal objects of my invention to provide means for lengthening or shortening a crutch so that; it may be adjusted to the most desirable and eiiective length.

An important object of my invention is to provide an extremely simple and easily adjusted device of this character, but one in which when the adjustment has been made, will be firm and unyielding.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for applying a metallic ferrule to the ground engaging portion of a crutch, cane or the like.

Other and further features and objects of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon a consideration of the accompanying drawing and following specications, wherein is disclosed a single exemplary embodiment of the invention, with the understanding, however, that such changes may be made therein as fall within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a View in elevation of a crutch to which an adjustable member has been applied, which member is constructed according to one embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section of the adjustable member and showing the exposed portion in perspective.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the sleeve member shown in Figures 1 and 2, and

Figure 4 is a view in section of the member as it appears engaged on a crutch o-r cane.

In said drawing:

I have illustrated at Figure 1 a conventional crutch such as that illustrated at IIJ, consisting of two side bars I connected by the hand grip I I and provided with a padded support I2 at the upper end thereof. The side bars la of a crutch of this characr are usually of wood such as ash, hickory or the like, and the lower ends ofthe two side bars I0 end in tapering half round or semicircular portions as illustrated at I3 and I 4, which members are joined together by rivets or the like to form a tapered cylindrical shaft-like support.

In practicing my invention I preferably provide a metallic sleeve such as that more particularly illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and V4 which may be formed in frusto-conical or tapered shape of any springy material such as brass or steel or the like. This sleeve is not a complete cylinder as better illustrated in Figure 3, and is discontinuous so that the edges of the sleeve I5 which are feathered out to relatively sharp edges, may overlap when engaged on the crutch I0. Figure 3 illustrates the spread position of the sleeve I 5, while Figure 4 illustrates the normally closed position of the sleeve.

In forming the sleeve or ferrule I5, I preferably provide the lower end of the plate with teethlike members lilustrated at I8, which members may be bent inwardly as illustrated to form a metallic or hard end for the sleeve at its ground engaging end.

In locking the sleeve in place on the crutch I preferably employ inwardly punched, triangular tooth-like members more particularly illustrated at I9 and these members tend naturally to dig into the wood of the crutch and hold the sleeve in place on the end of the crutch even against heavy load.

I preferably employ several locking members, one such as the ring illustrated at 2 I, which may be moved to the disengaged position illustrated in Figure 2 or may be moved to the position shown in Figure 4 where it engages the outwardly struck discontinuous ilange members 22 to close the ferrule or sleeve to its closed position illustrated in Figure 4. I may of course employ as many of these rings as is necessary to secure complete engagement of the sleeve with the end of the crutch. I may also employ rings such as illustrated at 23 with one or more projections 2li on the inner wall thereof to engage grooves in the member I5.

It is apparent that by use of a device constructed according to my invention, the eifective length of a crutch or cane or the like may be readily varied as is desired, so as to accommodate various individuals.

Although I'have described a specific embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A crutch and a sleeve mounted on said crutch, the sleeve being formed in the form of a discontinuous cylinder having overlapping edges when it is in engaged position, and means for holding the sleeve in closed overlapping position on the crutch.

2. In a crutch, means for adjusting the eiective length of the crutch including a sleeve in the form of a discontinuous cylinder, and means for locking the sleeve on the crutch comprising inwardly struck teeth for engaging the crutch, and ring members for closing the sleeve on the crutch.

' CLOETHILDA A. LYMAN. 

